Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Study Guide Questions – Answer Key
Chapter 1 “Story of the Door”
1. Who is Mr. Utterson?
The main protagonist, a lawyer
2. What is he like?
He is cold and never smiled. He is tall and lean. He tolerates others and is more inclined to
help than to reprove.
3. Notice the statement about him that begins, “In this character…” How is this sentence
foreshadowing? There will be another character within a character.
4. Who are his friends?
“His friends were those of his own blood or those whom he had known the longest.” One of
these friends is Richard Enfield.
5. What activity do he and Enfield share?
They share a weekly Sunday afternoon walk through the town.
6. In what city does the story take place? London
7. What does Black Mail House look like?
“A certain sinister block of building.” It is two stories high, has no windows, but a door that
is “blistered and distainted.”
8. What strange occurrence does Enfield associate with Black Mail House?
A man and a little girl (8-10 years old) run into each other. The man tramples the little girl
and leaves her screaming on the ground. Enfield goes after the man and urges him to come
back.
9. What is a Juggernaut? A large, overpowering destructive force or object.
10. Why was the child out at 3 a.m.? She was running across the street.
11. The man’s face reminds Enfield of whom? The man’s face reminds him of the devil.
12. How does the man refer to himself? He refers to himself as a gentleman.
13. How much money does the crowd demand for damages from the man? 100 pounds
14. How is this money paid? 90 pounds is paid by check; 10 pounds is paid with gold coins
15. Why does the stranger spend the rest of the night with Enfield?
The stranger says he will stay with the group and cash the check in the morning to prove that
it is not a forgery.
16. Who signed the check? A very well-known and often printed name (Dr. Jekyll)
17. Why does Enfield think this person has signed the check?
The door is connected to the home of Dr. Jekyll.
18. Why doesn’t Enfield like to ask questions?
He doesn’t like to ask questions about strange things.
19. According to Enfield, what does Hyde look like?
Something is wrong with his appearance. He was displeasing and detestable. He gave a
feeling of deformity.
20. Utterson and Enfield shake hands and agree to never do what again?
They agree to never refer to this incident again.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Study Guide Questions – Answer Key
Chapter 2 “Search for Mr. Hyde”
1. What does Dr. Jekyll’s will stipulate?
After the death or prolonged absence (exceeding three months) of Dr. Jekyll, all of his assets
will be given to Mr. Hyde.
2. What are the full names of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde
3. Did Utterson know before that Sunday who the man named in the will was? Yes.
4. Who lives at Cavendish Square? Dr. Lanyon
5. What does Lanyon look like?
Lanyon is a “hearty, healthy, dapper, red-faced gentleman, with a shock of hair prematurely
white, and a boisterous and decided manner.”
6. How does Utterson know Lanyon? They were old friends from school and college.
7. What interrupted the friendship between Lanyon and Jekyll?
Something went “wrong in mind” with Jekyll, and he Lanyon saw little of each other.
8. What question prompts Utterson to go to Lanyon’s house at midnight?
Utterson asks if Lanyon has ever met Mr. Hyde.
9. Why does Utterson wish to meet Hyde?
Utterson imagines the worst about Hyde and decides he needs to meet Hyde in order to clear
up the mystery.
10. How does Utterson plan to accomplish this?
Utterson hangs around the street to catch Mr. Hyde coming or going from the house.
11. Does his plan succeed? Yes, his patience pays off.
12. What does Utterson daringly do? Utterson approached Hyde, touches him on the shoulder,
saying, “Mr. Hyde, I think?” After some conversation, Utterson asks if he can see Hyde’s
face.
13. What address does Hyde give Utterson? He gives Utterson “a number of a street in Soho.”
14. Why does Hyde become angry with Utterson?
Utterson tells Hyde that they have a mutual friend – Dr. Jekyll – but Hyde does not believe
Utterson and accuses him of lying.
15. What are some further details to describe Hyde’s physical appearance?
Mr. Hyde is pale and dwarfish, giving an impression of deformity without any nameable
malformation. He also has a displeasing smile, and speaks to Utterson with a mixture of
timidity and boldness, speaking with a husky, whispering, and somewhat broken voice.
16. Where does Utterson go following his encounter with Hyde? He tries to visit Dr. Jekyll.
17. Who is Poole? Dr. Jekyll’s servant (butler).
18. What significant question does Utterson ask Poole?
He doesn’t like to ask questions about strange things.
19. What is Jekyll’s “pet fancy”?
The hall in which Utterson waits, while Poole is looking to see if Jekyll is at home.
20. What orders does Poole have concerning Hyde? The servants have orders to obey Hyde.
21. What kind of person was Jekyll when he was young?
Jekyll was wild when he was young. Utterson wonders if Hyde is blackmailing Jekyll for
something that Jekyll did in the past.
22. What does Utterson fear Hyde might do? Why?
Utterson is afraid that Hyde might kill Jekyll because “if this Hyde suspects the existence of
the will, he may grow impatient to inherit.”
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Study Guide Questions – Answer Key
Chapter 3 “Dr. Jekyll Was Quite At Ease”
1. What significance could the title of the chapter have?
Jekyll is doing well and is confident in what he has put in his will.
2. How long is a fortnight? Two weeks
3. What provides an excuse for Utterson to talk to Jekyll about the will?
Utterson is at a dinner that Jekyll is hosting.
4. How is Dr. Jekyll described?
Dr. Jekyll is described as, “a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty, with something of a
slyish cast perhaps, but every mark of capacity and kindness.”
5. What does Jekyll say about Lanyon?
Jekyll says that Lanyon is, “a hide-bound pedant for all that; an ignorant, blatant pedant,”
and that he has never been “more disappointed in any man than Lanyon.” Lanyon is
limited, old-fashioned and conservative. Dr. Lanyon expressed distaste for Jekyll’s scientific
interests and called Jekyll’s interests “scientific heresies.”
6. How does Jekyll react to the mention of Hyde?
When Utterson mentions Hyde, Jekyll becomes, “pale to the very lips, and there came a
blackness about his eyes.” Jekyll does not wish to hear any more about the matter.
7. Why is it interesting that Jekyll tells Utterson, “I would trust you before any man alive ay,
before myself”?
It is hinting at the fact that there is something about himself that Jekyll doesn’t quite trust.
8. Why does Jekyll tell Utterson to put “his heart at rest”?
Jekyll assures Utterson that he can get rid of Hyde when he so chooses.
9. What promise does Utterson make to Jekyll?
Utterson promises to help Hyde when Jekyll is no longer there.
10. From the description of Jekyll in this chapter and the descriptions of Hyde from the previous
two chapters, make a chart listing their character descriptions.
Answers will vary.
Jekyll
50 years old
Slyish
Smooth-faced
Kind
Large
Well-made
Hyde
Feeling of deformity
Displeasing smile
Timidity
Boldness
Gives off a sense of evil and dread
Dwarfish
Pale
Husky, broken voice
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 4 “The Carew Murder Case”
1. How much time has elapsed between the incident with the child and the murder? Also, what month
is it? Nearly a year later, in October.
2. What items are found on the body? A purse and a gold watch, as well as a sealed and stamped
envelope, bearing the name and address of Mr. Utterson.
3. Who witnesses the murder? “A maid servant living alone in a house not far from the river.”
4. Between what hours does the murder occur? Around 11 pm. She is able to come to herself again at
2 am.
5. Who is murdered? How is his identity revealed? Sir Danvers Carew is murdered. Utterson
identifies him.
6. What is the murder weapon? A cane
7. Who does the weapon belong to? Hyde
8. Who gave it to the owner? Jekyll
9. How does Utterson know where to take the police? Utterson knows Hyde’s address in Soho street.
10. Who is the policeman investigating the murder? Inspector Newcomen of Scotland Yard
11. What is significant about the setting as Utterson and the investigator go to Hyde’s apartment?
It seems “like a district of some city in a nightmare.”
12. Who seems glad that Mr. Hyde is in trouble?
The woman who answers Hyde’s door when Utterson and Inspector Newcomen arrive
13. What is the condition of Hyde’s house when Utterson and the inspector enter?
Hyde is not there. The house is furnished with “luxury and good taste.”
14. What important clue is found at Hyde’s house?
Two things are found at Hyde’s house: “the butt-end of a green cheque-book,” as well as, “the other
half of the stick was found behind the door.”
15. Where is it found?
The check-book is found in the ashes. The second half of walking stick is found behind the door.
16. Why is it virtually impossible to get out a WANTED poster of Hyde after the murder?
There are not many who are familiar with Hyde, and his family cannot be found. He also has never
been photographed and those who can describe him, have differing descriptions of him. The only
characteristic all can agree on is his deformity.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 5 “Incident of The Letter”
1. Jekyll’s lab once served as a dissecting room. What are some differences between anatomy and
chemistry?
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine. It concerns the structure of living things. Chemistry is
the science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter.
2. What does Jekyll say in response to Utterson’s inquiry regarding Hyde’s whereabouts?
Jekyll states that he will never set eyes on Hyde again and also that nobody else will hear of him either.
3. Why does Jekyll want Utterson to have the letter?
Jekyll is unsure whether or not he should show it to the police.
4. Who is it from and what does it say?
The letter is from Hyde, and it says that Jekyll should feel “no alarm for his safety, as he had means
of escape on which he placed a sure dependence.”
5. Why is there no envelope for the letter? Jekyll burned it.
6. According to Jekyll, who dictated the terms of his will? Hyde
7. How can Poole be so positive that no messenger delivered the letter?
Poole is positive because “nothing had come except by post; ‘and only circulars by that.’”
8. The newspaper boys refer to Carew as an M.P. which means he is a Member of Parliament? Why does it
matter that Carew was an M.P.? He is a high profile person.
9. Who is Mr. Guest? Utterson’s head clerk.
10. Utterson says, “There was no man from whom he kept fewer secrets than Mr. Guest; and he was not
always sure that he kept as many as he meant.” What does this mean about the relationship between Guest
and Utterson? Utterson does not trust Mr. Guest.
11. What special ability does Guest have? Guest is able to analyze handwriting.
12. What does Guest conclude after seeing the letter? It is an odd writer.
13. How does Guest have an opportunity to compare the handwriting of Jekyll and Hyde? Utterson had a
dinner invitation from Jekyll.
14. What is the only major difference in the two samples of writing? He concludes that the two autographs
are identical in many ways, but they are only sloped differently.
15. What assumption does Utterson make from Guest’s findings? He assumes that Jekyll forged for a
murderer.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 6 “Remarkable Incident of Dr. Lanyon”
1. Utterson feels that the death of Sir Danvers was more than paid for by what? “The death of Sir
Danvers was, to his way of thinking, more than paid for by the disappearance of Mr. Hyde.”
2. How does Dr. Jekyll behave at the time of Hyde’s supposed disappearance? Jekyll came out of
seclusion, renewed relationships with his friends, and was at peace.
3. Between the days of January 8 and January 16 what change has occurred in Dr. Lanyon? “He had his
death-warrant written legibly upon his face. The rosy man had grown pale; his flesh had fallen
away; he was visibly balder and older.”
4. What reason does Lanyon give for his current condition? He has had a shock.
5. What does Lanyon say in response to Utterson’s mention of Jekyll? He doesn’t want to see or hear
anymore of Jekyll.
6. In his letter to Utterson, what kind of life does Jekyll say he now intends to lead? He intends to lead a
life of extreme seclusion.
7. What does Jekyll ask Utterson to respect? Jekyll asks Utterson to respect his silence.
8. What type of document does Utterson receive the night of Lanyon’s funeral? Utterson receives an
envelope from his deceased friend.
9. What instructions are given on the second document? The instructions say, “not to be opened till the
death or disappearance of Dr. Henry Jekyll."
10. What does Utterson do with the two documents? He places it in the inmost corner of his private safe.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 7 “Incident at The Window”
1. Why are Utterson and Enfield at the door? They pass by it on their usual walk.
2. What does Enfield say he was an “ass” not to realize about the house? This was a back-way to Dr.
Jekyll’s
3. What does Utterson say his reaction was to meeting Hyde? He felt repulsion.
4. What is the description of Jekyll at the window? Infinitely sad, like a disconsolate prisoner.
5. What does Utterson suggest Jekyll do to feel better? Jekyll should go outside for a walk.
6. What happens to Jekyll as Utterson and Enfield are talking with him? Jekyll’s facial expression turns to
terror and despair.
7. Why does Utterson say “God forgive us?” It reveals Utterson’s desperation. He is asking God to
forgive him and Enfield for seeing this horrible event and just walking away without confronting Jekyll
or helping him.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 8 “The Last Night”
1. Why does Poole come to see Utterson? Poole is afraid.
2. What does he want Utterson to do? He wants Utterson to determine if there was “foul play.”
3. What instructions does Poole give Utterson as they cross the back gardens? If by any chance" Jekyll
asks him into his private room, don't go."
4. What is the first thing Poole and Utterson notice has changed about Jekyll? His voice (They believe the
voice belongs to Hyde).
5. What does Poole think has happened to Jekyll? He thinks Jekyll has been murdered.
6. How long did Poole wait before going to Utterson for help? Eight days
7. What does Poole say the man in the lab has been doing for the past week? Crying for “some sort of
medicine”
8. What has Poole been sent to do all week by the man in the lab? Poole was to find a particular medicine.
9. Why is Poole certain that the man in the lab is not Dr. Jekyll? Poole has seen the man, and it is not his
master, Dr. Jekyll.
10. What does Utterson say it is his duty to do? Utterson says it’s his duty to check on Jekyll and to
break down the door.
11. What tools are used to break the door down? An axe and a kitchen poker
12. What does Poole say the figure in the laboratory is? Hyde
13. What does Utterson believe happened to Dr. Jekyll? Utterson believes Hyde kills Jekyll.
14. Who is Bradshaw? What does Utterson ask Bradshaw to do?
Bradshaw is one of Jekyll’s servants. Utterson asks Bradshaw to stand guard at the laboratory door
street entrance.
15. What does Poole say the man in the lab does all day? The man walks all day.
16. How many tries does it take to break the door down? What might this difficulty symbolize? It takes
five tries. It could symbolize the difficulty in solving this mystery.
17. What do the men immediately notice about the room once they break down the door? The quietness of
the room
18. Who do they find inside? What has happened to him? They find Hyde. He has killed himself.
19. How is the will in the lab different from the original will? Hyde’s name is crossed out, and Utterson’s
name has replaced it.
20. What is symbolic about Utterson’s full name? Utterson’s full name is Gabriel John Utterson, and
Gabriel is the name of the four archangels. This archangel was given the role of messenger.
21. What does the note from Jekyll instruct Utterson to do? To read the narrative (“read the narrative
which Lanyon warned me he was to place in your hands.”)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 9 “Dr. Lanyon’s Narrative”
1. What is Dr. Lanyon asked to get from Jekyll’s house? A drawer that contains some powders, a phial
and a paper book.
2. What is Lanyon asked to do with this item? He is to take this drawer to Cavendish Square.
3. How long does it take the locksmith and the carpenter to get into Jekyll’s laboratory? Two hours
4. What does the book contain? A series of dates
5. Who is the messenger Dr. Jekyll sends to Lanyon’s house? Hyde
6. How does the messenger taunt Lanyon after he has created his mixture of ingredients? Hyde asks if
Lanyon would like to see the results of his assistance, which will, "stagger the unbelief of Satan," or
if Hyde should leave with the mixture.
7. What does Lanyon actually visit? Hyde transforms into Dr. Jekyll.
8. What happens to Lanyon after he witnesses the strange event? Lanyon ends the letter and says that
what Jekyll told him afterwards is too shocking to repeat. He also says that the horror of the event
has shaken up his life, and that he must die.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 10 “Henry Jekyll’s Full Statement of the Case”
1. What does Jekyll mean when he conclude “that man is not truly one, but truly two? People have a dual
nature – one of respectability and of hidden pleasures.
2. What good does Jekyll believe may come out of his experiment? How can his experiment benefit
society? If the two facets of a person could be separate then, “life would be relieved of all that was
unbearable; the unjust might go his way, delivered from the aspirations and remorse of his more
upright twin; and the just could walk steadfastly and securely on his upward path, doing the good
things in which he found his pleasure, and no longer exposed to the disgrace and penitence by the
hands of this extraneous evil.”
3. Jekyll says he “will not enter deeply into this scientific branch of [his] confession.” Why not? What
first reason does he give? He states that he has been, “made to learn that the doom and burthen of
our life is bound for ever on man's shoulders, and when the attempt is made to cast it off, it but
returns upon us with more unfamiliar and more awful pressure.”
4. How does Jekyll say he feels the first time he drinks the potion? He felt “grinding in the bones, deadly
nausea, and a horror of the spirit that cannot be exceeded at the hour of birth or death.”
5. What purpose does the mirror service in his experiment? It is used to observe the transformations.
6. According to Jekyll, why is Hyde so much smaller? Hyde is smaller because this side represents his
evil side, which had been repressed and carefully controlled before.
7. Why does Jekyll say he became Hyde instead of an angel? Jekyll could have become an angel if he
had approached the discovery in a more noble spirit, one that contained generous or pious
aspirations.
8. In what way does Jekyll become enslaved? Jekyll’s life seemed dull and growing unwelcome, and he
enjoyed become Hyde.
9. How does Jekyll react to Hyde’s wrongdoings? Jekyll feels no guilt at Hyde’s wrongdoings, although
he does try to right whatever wrongs have been done.
10. Why is a separate bank account opened in Hyde's name? After Enfield witnesses the incident with the
young girl, a separate bank account is opened in Hyde’s name in order to avoid suspicion.
11. What happens one night two months before the murder of Sir Danvers? While sleeping, Jekyll
involuntarily transforms into Hyde.
12. Why is this incident so important? Jekyll realizes that he is in danger of being permanently trapped as
Hyde, and that some part of his experiment has moved beyond his control. Jekyll lives as himself for
two entire months, but feels that he needs to free his evil side (Hyde). When Hyde emerges, he is out
for blood.
13. What are the pros and cons that Jekyll weighs in making his decision to remain Jekyll? Pros: Jekyll
will maintain his interests and aspirations as well as his friendships. Cons: Jekyll will have to give
up his impulses and hidden pleasures.
14. Why does he reverse his initial choice and once again become Hyde? He felt as though Hyde was
struggling for freedom.
15. What steps does Jekyll take to prevent himself from becoming Hyde again? Jekyll convinces himself
that he will never transform into Hyde again. Jekyll instead indulges in some of darker desires as
himself (not as Hyde).
16. What happens one January day in Regent’s Park? Jekyll transforms into Hyde as his darker side is
becoming more predominant.
17. When he came to himself at Lanyon's house, what fear replaces Jekyll’s “fear of the gallows”? Being
Hyde
18. What problem does Jekyll encounter with the drug? Jekyll is unable to get to the cabinet in his house,
in which the drug is kept, as he could be captured.
19. From this point forward, what happens to Jekyll while he sleeps? He always awakens as Hyde.
20. How does Hyde torment Jekyll? Why? Hyde writes blasphemies in Jekyll’s books (Jekyll’s own
hand), burns the letters and destroys the portrait of his father. Hyde does this because he hates the
despondency into which Jekyll has fallen.
21. What keeps Hyde from committing suicide? His fear of death
22. Why is it symbolic that Jekyll’s first supply of the salt was impure? It was the unknown impurity that
led to the success of the potion. The impure salt is no mere accident: there must be an existence of
an undefined grey area.
23. Why does he write that as he finishes this confession, “I bring the life of that unhappy Henry Jekyll to
an end”? This is Jekyll’s final act of control, as he knows that Hyde will soon take over his body.
Jekyll writes this before he kills himself. In order to be rid of Hyde before he takes over Jekyll’s
mind, Jekyll must commit suicide.